Running

I must say that coming back to Barcelona was personal as it was the city and place where I started my journey and adventure as a runner. Yes! Exactly here in fall 2015 I started making my first steps as a runner. This coming back there was refreshing and reenergizing!

Early call times and late end of shows made me well organised in order to sleep and recover enough after work and still being able to run. For most of people early mornings are hard but I am glad I made it and do not regret any minute and any kilometer I spent on running instead of sleeping. They totally woke me up better than any coffee (even this good one here in Spain ;))

Training inspired by NYRR workout: 1 mile(1.6km) – 2x800m – 6x400m
It was good training but not the greatest. It is hard to make GOOD intervals on your own especially when you still control watch and tracking distance. I was quite happy with my 1 mile repetition, 800 meters should be faster, first 400 meter was good, the rest I could puch more but I needed to avoid traffic and so on. My only excuse can be only the fact that it was first interval since 2 weeks.

Traveler

Sant Jordi + Casa Battló

Sant Jordi, or Saint George’s Day is much more than a simple feast day in Barcelona. It is the Catalan equivalent to Valentine’s Day and love is in the air!
I was lucky to have that day free (April 23) so I could explore this special day in Barcelona.
The basic idea for Sant Jordi is that men give women roses and women give men books. And it can be anybody, not necessarily your partner or somebody who you have taken a liking to. Also, in today’s forward thinking society the rules are no longer set regarding who gets what. A girl is just as likely to receive a book and vice versa.

The streets and squares of Barcelona are filled with stalls selling books and roses. It is a picturesque sight in the Spring sunshine. Couples walk hand in hand clutching roses.

The story of Sant Jordi is the same as the one that is known worldwide. Saint George was a hero – he saved a beautiful Princess who was about to come to a sticky end at the hands of a dragon who had been terrorising a village. There are various versions of the story but these facts always remain the same. Sant Jordi is the Patron Saint of Catalunya and his tale is well-known throughout the city.

Casa Battló

On that special day, you should also see Casa Batlló – one of the building and treasure left in Barcelona by its truly amazing architect Antoni Gaudi, who worked there and lived. Gaudi was one of the greatest innovators of his time. Casa Battló is one of the example of his greatness.
The building itself symbolizes the legend about Saint George with its design, inside and outside the building.
On Sant Jordi building is specially decorated with roses that appeals and brings many tourist to come.

Casa Batlló is located at number 43 on Paseo de Gracia, a street that, in the past, connected the city to Villa de Gracia.

Sant Pau

I was lucky to explore this place during Rosa Clara show that took place over there. This location is truly jaw-dropping!

Sant Pau

The Modernista Sant Pau Complex was built between 1905 and 1930 and designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a garden city for nursing the sick. After being used as a public hospital for a century, its newly refurbished pavilions shine again in all their splendour. A visit to this exceptional architectural ensemble is a unique experience.

Sant Pau

By the late 19th century, the old Hospital de la Santa Creu in Barcelona’s Raval neighbourhood needed to be relocated because it had become obsolete and too small. The result was an ambitious project inspired by the breakthroughs in health and hygiene at the time. This is Europe’s foremost art-nouveau complex and an icon among Barcelona’s dazzling array of landmarks which embodies the city’s innovative spirit. It was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.

Parc Guell

Unique and pictoresque garden designed by Antoni Gaudi for his patron, the industrialist Eusebi Güell, acquired the terrain on a mountain ridge, with a fantastic view of Barcelona in last years of XIX century. In 1984, the park was included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage.

Alley inside Parc Guell

From the park you have a great view of the city all the way to the sea. In the Monumental Zone you will find landmarks of Barcelona with the friendly dragon, the market hall and the winding bank. With Park Güell you will experience a fantastic park that is fun and in which you can discover a lot.

View from hill at Parc Guell

About 95% of the park area is accessible free of charge, only the monumental zone isn’t. This zone covers the entrance area with the dragon, the curved bench and the market hall.

Bottom of Parc Guell and its famous steps

All I can say now, is that I love Barcelona and every time I come there I am falling in love more and more…
City of Gaudi will be always on top of my list of cities I could live in, whenever I would be able to settle down (finally) 😀
¡Hasta pronto!